Geofire Salamander User manual

SYSTEM
USER GUIDE

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Salamander User Guide
Introduction
Salamander is a radio-controlled, battery-powered system for holding open fire doors. Before
installation, a thorough radio survey will have been conducted using the purpose made
Salamander Survey Kit. This document includes information to assist in the use of the
Salamander system.
Contents
Introduction...........................................................................................................................3
Documentation......................................................................................................................3
The System...........................................................................................................................4
Enrolling Door Holders and Closers......................................................................................4
The Weekly Fire Test............................................................................................................4
Closing All the Doors.............................................................................................................4
Trouble Shooting...................................................................................................................5
At the Controller.............................................................................................................5
System Configuration.....................................................................................................7
During Use.....................................................................................................................7
Command Codes..................................................................................................................8
Locking the Keypad ..............................................................................................................8
Display Unit Statistics............................................................................................................9
Door Holders and Closers..............................................................................................9
Boosters ........................................................................................................................9
Changing Batteries .............................................................................................................10
Door Holders................................................................................................................10
Door Closers................................................................................................................10
Adding New Units ...............................................................................................................11
Un-enrolling Units from a Controller....................................................................................11
Documentation
Before and during installation of the system, the survey results and door locations should
have been recorded by the installer(s) to assist the user during the life of the system. It will
prove useful to add and retain further information about the system as it is used, altered
and/or expanded. At the end of this document is an example change record sheet.
Additional to this User Guide is the Installer Guide that goes with the Salamander system
controller which contains further details on the technical aspects of installing and using the
system. This is available from Geofire under part number 1-11-9397.

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The System
The controller will normally display “OP” and the green power LED will be illuminated. This
shows the system is OPerating properly. If no green LED is lit then there is no mains power
and the controller is working on backup battery only. After 1 minute, the number display will
switch off to conserve power. To indicate that the controller is still transmitting, a “t” will be
displayed every 30 seconds.
If the controller displays “AL” or “FA” and flashes all LEDs, it is sensing an ALarm / FAult
signal from the fire panel. Clear the alarm / fault signal or check the wiring to the panel. Once
the alarm / fault signal to the controller is cleared, press Activate on the Salamander
controller to resume normal operation.
Enrolling Door Holders and Closers
Each door holder and closer has to be introduced to the controller
so that they recognise each other. We call this enrolling. Enrol
each unit at the controller before fitting.
To enrol, insert the batteries into the unit while holding down the
black release button. Once you hear the motor running you can
release the button. Wait for the motor to complete its test cycle
(around 10 seconds) then press the Enrol button on the controller.
“AU”is displayed on the controller. Wait for up to 15 seconds.
When the enrol process is complete, the controller allocates the
unit a number. Note the number shown on the display and write it
on the back of the unit in the case of the door holder. The magnet
will not turn on until the battery cover is fitted and the screw fully
inserted.
If enrol is not successful, the controller will display “EE”and light
all three LEDs. Remove the batteries and try again.
Repeat this until all the units are enrolled. Once a unit is enrolled
the batteries can be removed ready for fitting.
The Weekly Fire Test
When the weekly fire alarm test is performed an alarm signal is sent from the fire panel to
the controller. The controller will display “AL” and all doors will release within 30 seconds.
Leave the fire panel in alarm mode, even if you silence the sounders, for at least 1 minute to
ensure that all units release their door. Clear the alarm in the fire panel then press Activate
to reset the controller. The controller will now display “OP”. Check the units all turn on again
after a further 30 seconds.
Closing All the Doors
Press the * RELEASE button on the controller. All units should release their doors within 30
seconds. After a further 30 seconds the units will turn on again.

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Trouble Shooting
At the Controller
The display shows “AL”, all 3 LEDs are flashing, and the units will not turn on
The controller is registering an alarm signal from the fire panel. Check whether your fire
panel is in a fire alarm state. Consult your Salamander system installer / maintainer.
The display shows “FA”, all 3 LEDs are flashing, and the units will not turn on
The controller is registering a fault signal from the fire panel. Check whether your fire alarm
panel is registering a fault. Consult your Salamander system installer / maintainer.
All 3 LEDs are flashing, the 2 digit display is blank, and the units will not turn on
The controller is registering a fault signal or a fire signal from the fire panel and the controller
is running on back-up battery only. Check whether your fire alarm panel is registering a fire
or fault state. Consult your Salamander system installer / maintainer.
The 2 digit display is blank, and the units will not turn on
The controller has no mains supply and has exhausted its backup battery. Once mains
power is restored to the unit the backup battery will be recharged automatically. If there is no
obvious cause for the repeater to be on battery backup, consult your Salamander system
installer / maintainer.
The number display on the controller is flashing
The controller is in command mode. If no buttons are pressed the controller will time-out
after 5 minutes and return to normal mode. Alternatively, use the up arrow (Enrol button) or
down arrow (Activate button) to display 9 then press * RELEASE. The display will show the
channel number being used by the controller and then exit command mode.
There are no lights on the controller except a “t” every 30 seconds on the number display
The mains power has failed and the controller is running on its backup battery.
“AL” is not shown when I trigger a fire condition in the fire alarm panel
There is either something wrong with the trigger wiring from the fire alarm panel, or the fire
alarm is not going into a fire mode where the auxiliary supply / relay is being switched.
Consult your Salamander system installer / maintainer.
There is a ‘LOW BATTERY’ warning
If the display shows a two digit number, one of the units has reported a low battery to the
controller. This unit will function for a further 1-2 months, but the batteries should be
replaced when convenient.
If the display shows a number prefixed by an „r‟, one of the boosters has reported that it is on
battery backup as there has been a failure in the mains supply. This unit will operate for ~24

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hours before the backup battery is discharged. Once mains power is restored to the unit the
backup battery will be recharged automatically. If there is no obvious cause for the repeater
to be on battery backup, consult your Salamander system installer / maintainer.
There is a ‘LOW BATTERY’ warning and the ‘LOW SIGNAL’ LED is flashing
If the display shows a two digit number, one of the units has reported a low battery to the
controller before then not responding to the controller. This indicates that the unit has
stopped working due to low battery. Remove the old batteries, wait for 10 seconds while the
electronics discharge, then insert new cells without pressing the black button.
If the display shows a number prefixed by an „r‟, one of the boosters has reported to the
controller that it is on battery backup before then not responding to the controller. This
indicates that the unit has stopped working due to a fully discharged backup battery. Once
mains power is restored to the unit the backup battery will be recharged automatically. If
there is no obvious cause for the repeater to be on battery backup, consult your Salamander
system installer / maintainer.
There is a static ‘LOW SIGNAL’ warning
The unit number on the display is receiving messages at a lower than expected signal
strength. This is a warning only and will, with time, disappear as whatever temporary
impairment is removed. Low signals can be produced by moveable obstacles in corridors or
rooms impeding the signal path to the unit. Trolleys, people, and other objects can all
produce this effect.
If this warning persists, consult your Salamander system installer / maintainer.
There is a flashing ‘LOW SIGNAL’ warning
The unit number on the display has not replied to the controller. If the unit continues to
operate correctly, and the warning eventually clears by itself, there is no cause for concern.
Pressing the black button to release the door, or performing the weekly fire test, will confirm
if this unit is still operating. If it seems unresponsive, unscrew the battery cover the take the
batteries out. Wait 10 seconds for the electronics to discharge before then replacing the
batteries and refitting the battery cover. Check that the unit turns on to hold the door; this
may take up to 30 seconds. If this warning appears or the unit becomes unresponsive
regularly, consult your Salamander system installer / maintainer.
Units will not enrol to the controller, it just displays “EE”
If you are enrolling a door unit, be sure to hold down the black button on the unit when
inserting the batteries. Wait for the motor to finish running before then pressing Enrol. All
units should be enrolled at the controller before fitting.
When I try to un-enrol a unit, the controller displays “EE”
There are no units of this type enrolled to the system.

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When I press a button on the controller it displays “Cd”
The keypad has been locked and the controller is prompting you to enter the security code.
To unlock, refer to the “Locking the Keypad” section further on. If you do not know what
code has been set, use the preset code 3142. Once the keypad is active, select command
code option 00 and enter a new code 00 to disable the lock function.
System Configuration
I want to connect a timer to release all doors during the night time
This can be done using the fault input to the controller if it is spare. Please consult your
Salamander system installer / maintainer.
Note that in the controller default setting there will be a 30 minute delay before the doors
switch back on unless the Activate button is pressed. To remove the 30 minute reset delay,
enter command mode, select option 08 and press release. This toggles the reset delay
between 60 (30 minute delay, default setting) or 01 (no delay). With a 01 delay, once the
timer contacts close, the controller will reset at the next 32 second broadcast.
When this method is used to retain the doors, a fire alarm state triggered by the fire alarm
panel will override a period of door release and will show as “AL” on the control panel
display. If this state is cleared before the time for holding the doors again, “FA” will again be
displayed on the control panel and the doors will re-hold correctly at the end of the door
release period.
During Use
After a fire test or false alarm, the controller displays “AL”, and the doors will not hold
Press Activate to clear the alarm on controller, otherwise the alarm will automatically clear
after 30 minutes. If this is inconvenient, the reset time can be reduced to zero by selecting
command option 8 on the controller.
Some doors keep releasing for no reason
The units in question are not receiving a consistent radio signal and are failing safe. This will
also lead to premature battery failure. Consult your Salamander system installer /
maintainer.
The controller is flashing the Low Signal LED but the door holder indicated is still working
The unit number on the display has not replied to the controller. If the unit continues to
operate correctly, and the warning eventually clears by itself, there is no cause for concern.
Pressing the black button to release the door, or performing the weekly fire test, will confirm
if this unit is still operating. If it seems unresponsive, unscrew the battery cover then take the
batteries out. Wait 10 seconds for the electronics to discharge before then replacing the
batteries and refitting the battery cover. Check that the unit turns on to hold the door; this
may take up to 30 seconds. If this warning appears or the unit becomes unresponsive
regularly, consult your Salamander system installer / maintainer.

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Command Codes
Press the * RELEASE and Un Enrol buttons at the same time to enter command codes.
Once the buttons are released, the number display flashes “00” to indicate command mode.
Use the up and down arrows to select the code number then press * RELEASE.
The codes are as follows:
00 Set key-lock code, see over page
01 lock keypad now
02 (Consult Salamander system installer / maintainer)
03 (Consult Salamander system installer / maintainer)
04 (Consult Salamander system installer / maintainer)
05 (Consult Salamander system installer / maintainer)
06 door holder statistics, see the “Display Unit Statistics” section
07 (Consult Salamander system installer / maintainer)
08 fire/fault reset delay : 60 (30 minutes –default) / 01 (30 seconds)
09 display channel number
10 toggle poll frequency: 1h (1 hour frequency) / 2h (2 hours - default)
11 un-enrol a booster
12 (Consult Salamander system installer / maintainer)
13 booster statistics, see the “Display Unit Statistics” section
14 display back-up battery condition
15 toggle status query of boosters –“Pr” = Poll Repeaters (default) / “nP” = No Poll
Locking the Keypad
1. Select command code 00 and press * RELEASE
2. A static “00” is now displayed
3. Decide on a security code number for unlocking the keypad (4 or more digits
recommended)
4. Use the up and down arrows to select the first digit
5. Press Un Enrol and then select the second digit. Repeat as necessary
6. After entering the last digit press * RELEASE instead of Un-enrol. The keypad will
now lock
Any press of the buttons other than Activate will show “Cd”on the display. Enter the security
code as in 4 to 6 above using the up and down arrows, Un Enrol and * RELEASE. “OP”will
be displayed.
The keypad will lock again after 5 minutes of no use, or if command option 1 is selected.
If the security code is lost or set by mistake, use the engineers unlock code 3142.
To switch off key locking proceed as if to set a locking code and enter the new security code
00, i.e. complete steps 1 and 2 then press * RELEASE again.

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Display Unit Statistics
Door Holders and Closers
Enter command code 06. Use the up and down arrows to select the door holder number and
press * RELEASE.
First the received signal strength at the door holder is displayed (63 maximum)
Press *. Now the signal strength received at the controller is displayed (63 maximum)
Press *. The battery strength is displayed (39 = max, 32 = min)
Press *. The node with which it is synchronised (0 = controller, 1-8 = booster number)
Press *. The top 2 digits of the holder serial number
Press *. The middle 2 digits of the serial number
Press *. The last 2 digits of the serial number are displayed
Then either select another door holder or press Un Enrol to return to OP
If the first display is “nc”, this means that there are no valid statistics for this unit (the unit did
not reply to the last query). “Un” here means that there is no unit enrolled in this slot. If “nc”
is displayed, the serial number will still be displayed when pressing * RELEASE for this unit
to allow for troubleshooting.
Boosters
Enter command code 13. “r1” is displayed. Use the up and down arrows to select the
booster number and press * RELEASE.
First the received signal strength at the booster is displayed (63 maximum)
Press *. Now the signal strength received at the controller is displayed (63 maximum)
Press *. The power state is displayed (01 –mains / 00 –battery backup)
Press *. The node with which it is synchronised (0 = controller, 1-8 = booster number)
Press *. The top 2 digits of the holder serial number
Press *. The middle 2 digits of the serial number
Press *. The last 2 digits of the serial number are displayed
Then either select another booster or press Un Enrol to return to OP
If the first display is “nc”, this means that there are no valid statistics for this unit (the unit did
not reply to the last query). “Un” here means that there is no unit enrolled in this slot. If “nc”
is displayed, the serial number will still be displayed when pressing * RELEASE for this unit
to allow for troubleshooting.

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Changing Batteries
The batteries in door holders and closers will last for up to 2 years provided that the unit is
receiving good quality, consistent, radio signals. For planned maintenance we recommend
replacing the batteries annually.
Door Holders
Remove the battery cover and take out the old batteries
Wait for 10 seconds
Install the fresh batteries referring to the battery label for the orientation without
pressing the black button
Replace the battery cover
N.B. If the black button is held by accident when putting the batteries in, remove the batteries, wait 10 seconds
for the electronics to discharge, and reinsert the batteries again without pressing the black button.
Door Closers
Unscrew and remove the main cover
Remove the battery cover and take out the old batteries.
Wait for 10 seconds
Install the fresh batteries referring to the battery label for the orientation without
pressing the black button.
Replace the battery cover
Replace and screw on the main cover
N.B. If the black button is held by accident when putting the batteries in, remove the batteries, wait 10 seconds
for the electronics to discharge, and reinsert the batteries again without pressing the black button.
Use only good quality „C‟ size alkaline batteries, not rechargeable batteries. We recommend
Duracell Procell; these are available direct from Geofire and may be ordered by quoting part
number 1-32-1268.